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Chapter

Chapter 1. Is there a measurement system for odour quality?

and

Abstract

Although humans can discriminate a huge number of odours, the mechanisms behind the perception of odours are not well understood. The theory of the present essay and our experiments were developed with the view that odours are homogeneous perceptions (as opposed to visual objects that are heterogeneous percepts). Other typical examples of homogeneous perceptions are colours and some emotional states. Thus, through perceptual learning, which is a prerequisite for perceiving, we become aware of and may recognise odours in the environment. Typically, odours are detected at very low concentrations as compared to chemical instruments, the “electronic nose” inclusive. Four principles of investigating the human world of odour qualities are discussed: (i) classification and sorting according to odour-quality resemblance, (ii) using names and verbal attributes for odour sources, (iii) using odour qualities for a representative set of reference odorants, and (iv) measuring odour quality by similarity scaling of pairs of odorous stimuli. Although a huge number of odours can be discriminated, the quality of odour mixtures is intermediary among the odour qualities of their components. This applies to single chemical compounds or mixtures thereof and for very broadband mixtures like indoor air. Our perceptual world simply consists of a massive amount of odour qualities potentially attributable to sources in the environment. Their organisation is, however, still a mystery.

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Abstract

Although humans can discriminate a huge number of odours, the mechanisms behind the perception of odours are not well understood. The theory of the present essay and our experiments were developed with the view that odours are homogeneous perceptions (as opposed to visual objects that are heterogeneous percepts). Other typical examples of homogeneous perceptions are colours and some emotional states. Thus, through perceptual learning, which is a prerequisite for perceiving, we become aware of and may recognise odours in the environment. Typically, odours are detected at very low concentrations as compared to chemical instruments, the “electronic nose” inclusive. Four principles of investigating the human world of odour qualities are discussed: (i) classification and sorting according to odour-quality resemblance, (ii) using names and verbal attributes for odour sources, (iii) using odour qualities for a representative set of reference odorants, and (iv) measuring odour quality by similarity scaling of pairs of odorous stimuli. Although a huge number of odours can be discriminated, the quality of odour mixtures is intermediary among the odour qualities of their components. This applies to single chemical compounds or mixtures thereof and for very broadband mixtures like indoor air. Our perceptual world simply consists of a massive amount of odour qualities potentially attributable to sources in the environment. Their organisation is, however, still a mystery.

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Chapters in this book

Prelim pages i
Table of contents v
List of contributors ix
Foreword xi
Preface xv
Acknowledgments xix
Part I. Perception, psychophysics and odour environment
Chapter 1. Is there a measurement system for odour quality? 3
Chapter 2. There’s something in the air 23
Chapter 3. Psychophysical evaluation of pain and olfaction 39
Chapter 4. Olfactory comfort in close relationships 59
Chapter 5. Olfactory perception 73
Part II. Learning and memory
Chapter 6. Odor memory and the special role of associative learning 95
Chapter 7. Knowing what we smell 115
Chapter 8. Attending to olfactory short-term memory 137
Part III. Neuropsychology and olfactory dysfunctions
Chapter 9. Olfactory function in Parkinson’s disease 155
Chapter 10. Remembering what the nose knows 179
Chapter 11. Olfactory impairment in normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease 199
Part IV. Odor hedonic perception and development
Chapter 12. The psychophysics of olfaction in the human newborn 221
Chapter 13. Emerging chemosensory preferences 237
Chapter 14. The acquisition of odour preferences via evaluative olfactory conditioning 269
Dedication. Writings in remembrance of Professor Trygg Engen 295
Index 313

Olfactory Cognition

This chapter is in the book Olfactory Cognition

https://doi.org/10.1075/aicr.85.06ber

Chapters in this book

Prelim pages i
Table of contents v
List of contributors ix
Foreword xi
Preface xv
Acknowledgments xix
Part I. Perception, psychophysics and odour environment
Chapter 1. Is there a measurement system for odour quality? 3
Chapter 2. There’s something in the air 23
Chapter 3. Psychophysical evaluation of pain and olfaction 39
Chapter 4. Olfactory comfort in close relationships 59
Chapter 5. Olfactory perception 73
Part II. Learning and memory
Chapter 6. Odor memory and the special role of associative learning 95
Chapter 7. Knowing what we smell 115
Chapter 8. Attending to olfactory short-term memory 137
Part III. Neuropsychology and olfactory dysfunctions
Chapter 9. Olfactory function in Parkinson’s disease 155
Chapter 10. Remembering what the nose knows 179
Chapter 11. Olfactory impairment in normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease 199
Part IV. Odor hedonic perception and development
Chapter 12. The psychophysics of olfaction in the human newborn 221
Chapter 13. Emerging chemosensory preferences 237
Chapter 14. The acquisition of odour preferences via evaluative olfactory conditioning 269
Dedication. Writings in remembrance of Professor Trygg Engen 295
Index 313

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